Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker
{{Short description|Comic book limited series}}
{{for|the nursery rhyme origin of the phrase| Rub-a-dub-dub}}
{{for|the episodes adapting/named after this comic|Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker|The Last Time to Look on This World of Lies|Here Comes a Candle to Light You to Bed}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox comic book title
| image =
| caption = Cover of the first issue of Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker
| limited = y
| Superhero = y
| publisher = Dynamite Entertainment
| startmo = July 20
| startyr = 2011
| endmo = December 21,
| endyr = 2011
| issues = 6
| writers = Garth Ennis
| artists = Darick Robertson
| pencillers = Darick Robertson
| inkers = Darick Robertson
| letterers = Simon Bowland
| colorists = Tony Aviña
| creators = Garth Ennis{{Cite web|author=Press Release|date=April 16, 2011|title=Sneak Peek: The Boys: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker #1|url=https://majorspoilers.com/2011/04/16/sneak-peek-the-boys-butcher-baker-candlestickmaker-1|access-date=April 16, 2011|website=Major Spoilers|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Carr|first=Ari|date=June 11, 2012|title=Review: The Boys: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker #1|url=https://www.inter-comics.com/blog/reviews/review-the-boys-butcher-baker-candlestickmaker|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620194222/https://www.inter-comics.com/blog/reviews/review-the-boys-butcher-baker-candlestickmaker|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 20, 2012|access-date=June 11, 2012|website=Inter-Comics|language=en-US}}
Darick Robertson
| CEheader =
| TPB = Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker
| ISBN = 978-1784537487
| subcat = Dynamite Entertainment
| altcat =
| sort = Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker
| addpubcat# =
}}
Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker is a six-issue comic book limited series by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Originally published as a spin-off of The Boys, set between issues #59 and #60, following villain protagonist Billy Butcher as he attends his father's funeral before thinking back on his origin story, serving in the Royal Marines, fighting in the Falklands War, meeting and then losing his wife Becky Saunders, and joining the CIA and in-turn the Supe-focused black ops group The Boys following her death. Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker was collected in trade paperback in March 2012 as the tenth volume of The Boys, as The Boys: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker.{{Cite web|author=CBR Staff|date=March 2, 2012|title=The Boys Vol. 10: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker|url=https://www.cbr.com/the-boys-vol-10-butcher-baker-candlestickmaker|access-date=March 2, 2012|website=Comic Book Resources|language=en-US}}
Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker was adapted as the seventh episode of the second season of the Amazon Prime Video streaming television adaptation of The Boys, with John Noble and Lesley Nicol portraying Sam and Connie Butcher,{{cite web|first=Nick|last=Romano|url=https://ew.com/tv/the-boys-season-3-herogasm/|title=The Boys season 3 will tackle Herogasm, one of the raunchiest moments from the comics|publisher=Comic Book|date=January 17, 2021|accessdate=January 17, 2021}}{{cite web|first=Dustin|last=Rowles|url=https://uproxx.com/tv/the-boys-showrunner-shock-herogasm-production/|title={{‘}}The Boys{{’}} Showrunner Had A Very Scandalized Reaction To The First {{‘}}Herogasm{{’}} Production Meeting|publisher=Uproxx|date=April 18, 2021|accessdate=April 18, 2021}} as well as to the third season episode "Here Comes a Candle to Light You to Bed", with Jack Fulton portraying Lenny Butcher.
Premise
=Part 1: ''Bomb Alley''=
{{anchor|Part 1|Bomb Alley}}After attending the funeral of his estranged father, Billy Butcher begins talking to the corpse about his time spent serving in the Royal Marines, fighting in the Falklands War, from the heights of love to the depths of tragedy, revealing the terrible nature of the forces that drive him.{{Cite web|date=July 20, 2011|title=Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker #1 Review|url=http://acomicbookblog.com/2011/07/butcher-baker-candlestickmaker-1-review|access-date=October 11, 2011|website=A Comic Book Blog|last=Kutsenok|first=Victor|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011124905/http://acomicbookblog.com/2011/07/butcher-baker-candlestickmaker-1-review/|archive-date=October 11, 2011|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|date=July 20, 2011|title=Daily Reviews: The Boys: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker #1|url=http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/131188406020766.htm|access-date=August 8, 2011|website=Comics Bulletin|last=Hill|first=Shawn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808021329/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/131188406020766.htm|archive-date=August 8, 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Lindsay|first=Ryan K.|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=3720|title=The Boys: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker #1|publisher=Comic Book Resources|date=July 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723080655/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=3720|archive-date=July 23, 2011|access-date=July 23, 2011|url-status=dead}}
=Part 2: ''Harriet''=
{{anchor|Part 2|Harriet}}In 1982, on the desolate Falkland Islands, young Royal Marine Billy Butcher finds his calling. On the war's end, he begins to indulge his love of conflict in civilian life, leaving it locked on a grim course until an unexpected source brings him a chance at salvation.{{Cite web|date=August 17, 2011|title=Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker #2 Review|url=http://acomicbookblog.com/2011/08/butcher-baker-candlestickmaker-2-review|access-date=October 11, 2011|website=A Comic Book Blog|last=Kutsenok|first=Victor|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011124755/http://acomicbookblog.com/2011/08/butcher-baker-candlestickmaker-2-review/|archive-date=October 11, 2011|url-status=dead}}
=Part 3: ''It Must Be Love, Love, Love''=
{{anchor|Part 3|It Must Be Love, Love, Love}}Finding love with Becky Saunders, turning his life away from one of crime, Billy Butcher explores a life of joy.{{Cite web|date=July 20, 2011|title=Daily Reviews: The Boys: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker #3|url=http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/131691045266928.htm|access-date=September 26, 2011|website=Comics Bulletin|last=Hill|first=Shawn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926183450/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/131691045266928.htm|archive-date=September 26, 2011|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|date=September 22, 2011|title=Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker #3 Review|url=http://acomicbookblog.com/2011/09/butcher-baker-candlestickmaker-3-review|access-date=September 30, 2011|website=A Comic Book Blog|last=Kutsenok|first=Victor|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930145334/http://acomicbookblog.com/2011/09/butcher-baker-candlestickmaker-3-review/|archive-date=September 30, 2011|url-status=dead}}
=Part 4: ''The Last Time to Look on This World of Lies''=
{{anchor|Part 4|The Last Time to Look on This World of Lies}}Over the course of two years, Billy Butcher set up home in 1980s Britain under the reign of Margaret Thatcher, living with Becky, before she suddenly grows distant, and months later, gives birth to a Supe baby, the process of which kills her. On seeing this, Billy beats the baby to death.{{cite web|last=Nevett|first=Chad|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=4061|title=The Boys: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker #4|publisher=Comic Book Resources|date=October 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027133855/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=4061|archive-date=October 27, 2011|access-date=October 27, 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Borzelli|first=Brandon|url=http://www.comiclist.com/index.php/reviews/geek-goggle-reviews-boys-butcher-baker-candlestickmaker-4|title=Geek Goggle Reviews: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker #4|publisher=Comic List|date=October 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029180127/http://www.comiclist.com/index.php/reviews/geek-goggle-reviews-boys-butcher-baker-candlestickmaker-4|archive-date=October 29, 2011|access-date=October 29, 2011|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|date=October 22, 2011|title=Daily Reviews: The Boys: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker #4|url=http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/13193392818293.htm|access-date=October 24, 2011|website=Comics Bulletin|last=Hill|first=Shawn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024191303/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/13193392818293.htm|archive-date=October 24, 2011|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|date=October 19, 2011|title=Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker #4 Review|url=http://acomicbookblog.com/2011/10/butcher-baker-candlestickmaker-4-review|access-date=October 26, 2011|website=A Comic Book Blog|last=Kutsenok|first=Victor|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026190108/http://acomicbookblog.com/2011/10/butcher-baker-candlestickmaker-4-review/|archive-date=October 26, 2011|url-status=dead}}
=Part 5: ''Here Comes a Candle to Light You to Bed''=
{{anchor|Part 5|Here Comes a Candle to Light You to Bed}}Arrested for Becky's murder, Billy Butcher is recruited from solitary confinement to the CIA by Colonel Mallory, and on reading his wife's diary, believes he has discovered the identity of the one responsible for her pregnancy and subsequent death.{{cite web|last=Lindsay|first=Ryan K.|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=4141|title=The Boys: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker #5|publisher=Comic Book Resources|date=November 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118025952/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=4141|archive-date=November 18, 2011|access-date=November 18, 2011|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|date=November 16, 2011|title=Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker #5 Review|url=http://acomicbookblog.com/2011/11/butcher-baker-candlestickmaker-5-review|access-date=May 4, 2012|website=A Comic Book Blog|last=Kutsenok|first=Victor|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504225322/http://acomicbookblog.com/2011/11/butcher-baker-candlestickmaker-5-review/|archive-date=May 4, 2012|url-status=dead}}
=Part 6: ''Every One of You Sons of Bitches''=
{{anchor|Part 6|Every One of You Sons of Bitches}}Beginning a new life in America, which turns out to mean life ending for a good many unsuspecting superheroes. Billy Butcher embraces his destiny as the enforcer of keeping Supes in-line as part of the CIA black ops group "The Boys".{{cite web|last=Nevett|first=Chad|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=4270|title=The Boys: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker #6|publisher=Comic Book Resources|date=December 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624044701/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=4270|archive-date=June 24, 2012|access-date=June 24, 2012|url-status=dead}}
Reception
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
! Issue # ! Publication date ! Critic rating ! Critic reviews ! Ref. |
| 1
| July 2011 | 8.0/10 | 4 |
| 2
| August 2011 | 6.8/10 | 2 |
| 3
| September 2011 | 7.5/10 | 3 |
| 4
| October 2011 | 8.8/10 | 4 |
| 5
| November 2011 | 7.7/10 | 3 |
| 6
| April 2012 | 5.0/10 | 1 |
| Overall
| {{n/a |
| 7.3/10
| 17
|}
Collected editions
| class="wikitable" |
| width="22%" | Title
! Material collected ! Published date ! ISBN |
|---|
| The Boys: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker
| Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker #1–6 | March 7, 2012{{cite web|last2=Robertson|last1=Ennis|first2=Darick|first1=Garth|author-link1=Garth Ennis|author-link2=Darick Robertson|title=The Boys Volume 10: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker|url=https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/JAN121022|website=Previews World|date=March 7, 2012|access-date=March 7, 2012}} | {{ISBN|1-60690-264-4}} |
| The Boys: Definitive Edition 5
| The Big Ride (The Boys #48–59) + Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker{{cite web|author-link=Rich Johnston|last=Johnston|first=Rich|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/the-boys-omnibus-selling-out-how-many-copies-are-left|title=The Boys Omnibus Selling Out – How Many Copies Are Left?|work=Bleeding Cool|access-date=July 8, 2022|date=July 8, 2022}} | July 9, 2013 | {{ISBN|1-60690-412-4}} |
Adaptation
In September 2020, Eric Kripke, the showrunner of the Amazon Prime Video streaming television adaptation of The Boys, confirmed that Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker would be adapted as the seventh episode of the series' second season (starring Karl Urban as Billy Butcher), featuring John Noble and Lesley Nicol portraying Sam and Connie Butcher, characters introduced in Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker.{{Cite web|last=Dominguez|first=Noah|date=September 29, 2020|title=The Boys Casts Lord of the Rings' John Noble as Butcher's Dad|url=https://www.cbr.com/the-boys-john-noble-cast-billy-butcher-dad/|access-date=April 23, 2022|website=Comic Book Resources|language=en-US|archive-date=April 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423055853/https://www.cbr.com/the-boys-john-noble-cast-billy-butcher-dad/|url-status=live}} Unlike the source material in which Sam Butcher is depicted as having died, and Billy Butcher returning for his funeral, Billy returns to find his mother had lied to him about his father's death, in an attempt to have the two reconcile before his father actually dies.{{Cite web|last=Nolan|first=Liam|date=October 2, 2020|title=The Boys: Billy Butcher Faces His Greatest Enemy (& It's Not Homelander)|url=https://www.cbr.com/the-boys-billy-butcher-greatest-enemy-father|access-date=October 2, 2020|website=Comic Book Resources|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Piña|first=Ramon|date=October 13, 2020|title=Eight Thoughts on The Boys{{’}}s "Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker"|url=http://www.multiversitycomics.com/tv/the-boys-butcher-baker-candlestick-maker|access-date=October 13, 2020|website=Multiversity Comics|language=en-US}} In addition, Butcher's family history from the series is adapted to the third season episode "Here Comes a Candle to Light You to Bed", with Jack Fulton portraying Lenny Butcher.{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=Olivia|date=July 2, 2022|title={{'}}The Boys{{'}} star Karl Urban opens up about the 'tragedy' of Butcher's childhood that's finally unpacked in episode 7|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/the-boys-season-3-karl-urban-butcher-lenny-backstory-interview-2022-6|access-date=July 2, 2022|website=Business Insider|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Darwish|first=Meaghan|date=February 13, 2023|title={{‘}}The Boys{{’}} Director on Tackling Butcher's Waking Nightmare & Black Noir's Animated Story|url=https://www.tvinsider.com/1078662/the-boys-season-3-sarah-boyd-director-billy-butcher-flashback-black-noir-cartoons|access-date=February 13, 2023|website=TV Insider|language=en-US}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?CAT=DF-The_Boys_Butcher_Baker_Candlestickmaker Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker] at Dynamite Entertainment
{{The Boys}}
{{Dynamite Entertainment}}
Category:Comic book limited series